RICHMOND, Va. — Eli Bank and Grace Mittl founded Absurd Snacks while taking a marketing class at the University of Richmond after watching family and friends struggle to find tasty, allergy-free foods.

“One classmate in particular, his name was Dan. He came to class every day with the same seed-based granola bar advertised as nut-free. But a few years before our class, he ended up in the hospital because he was cross-contaminated,” Bank recalls.

Since graduating, Bank and Mittl have worked to install Absurd Snacks in more than 150 stores across the Mid-Atlantic, including every Kroger in Virginia.

They offer sweet and savory snack mixes made with chickpeas, granola and dried fruit.

WTVR

The top nine causes of food allergies identified in the United States are: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame, according to the USDA.

At Halloween, it can be difficult to find allergen-free and safe snacks for children and adults allergic to these nine ingredients.

Once again, Bank and Mittl participate in the Teal Pumpkin project.

The campaign was launched by the nonprofit FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research and Education.

By placing a teal pumpkin outside your door, you let children know that your home is food allergy friendly.

“Every year we sit on our porch and there are thousands and thousands of kids walking by, but you’ll see the apprehension on people’s faces when they have food allergies because they don’t put their fists in each bucket like some of the other kids can,” Bank said.

Bank and Mittl decorated their Hanover Avenue porch in Richmond with all things teal to alert treats and their parents to their allergy-free safe space.

WTVR

“As a food allergy conscious brand, we wanted to create a really fun Halloween experience in Hannover and allow children with food allergies to be able to treat themselves and have fun this Halloween, like everyone else,” said Mittel.

The Bank noted that the benefits of the project extend beyond younger generations.

“There’s also definitely a large population of adults who have food allergies, and so when they’re out walking with their family, you can also feel their appreciation of knowing that someone has their back,” she said. he declared.

FARE offers a Teal Pumpkin Project map where you can find all the participating homes in your area. Both men will continue their advocacy as members of FARE’s Food Allergy Council.

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